room or congregated
around its walls, which enshrined a maelstrom of beauty, circling
and ever changing, like the figures in a kaleidoscope. A prominent
figure in these scenes was Edward Everett, cold-blooded and
impassible, bright and lonely as the gilt weather-cock over the
church in which he officiated ere he became a politician. John
Van Buren--"Prince John"--he was called--was another notable, his
conversation having the double charm of seeming to be thoroughly
enjoyed by the speaker and at the same time to delight the hearer.
General Scott, in full uniform, was the beau ideal of a military
hero, and with him were other brave officers of the army and of
the navy, each one having his history ashore or afloat.

The members of the Diplomatic Corps were marked by the crosses and
ribbons which they wore at their buttonholes. Mr. Crampton, who
represented Queen Victoria, was a noble specimen of the fine old
English gentleman, personally popular, although he did not get
along well with Secretary Marcy. The Count de Sartiges, who had
recently married Miss Thorndike, of Boston, was an embodiment of
French character, as Baron Von Geroldt was of the Prussian, and
the little Kingdom of Belgium had its diplomatist in the august
person of Monsieur Henri Bosch Spencer. Senor Don Calderon de la
Barca, the Spanish Minister, was very popular, as was his gifted
wife, so favorably known to American literature. As for the South
American Republics, their representatives were generally well
dressed and able to put a partner through a polka in a manner
gratifying to her and to her anxious mamma.

Then there were the office-seekers, restless, anxious, yet confident
of obtaining some place of profit; the office-holders, many of whom
saw in passing events the handwriting on the wall which announced
their dismissal; the verdant visitors who had come to Washington
to see how the country was governed; and generally a score of
Indians with gay leggings, scarlet blankets, pouches worked with
porcupine quills, and the full glory of war paint. The Marine Band
discoursed sweet music, but no refreshments were offered, so, many
of the gentlemen, after having escorted the ladies to their homes,
repaired to the restaurants, where canvas-back ducks, wild turkeys,
and venison steaks were discussed, with a running fire of champagne
corks and comments on the evening.

Secretary McClelland's series of evening receptions were thronged
with the el